El Tour is a FUND RAISING event!

In 2014 cyclists in El Tour raised over $8 million for 40+ nonprofit organizations! You can raise funds for our primary beneficiary – Easter Seals – or for one of over 40 supporting beneficiaries. Each has a unique program – Check them out here!

The Ride

Held annually the Saturday before Thanksgiving, El Tour is a fun adventure ride attracting over 9,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities from throughout the United States and worldwide, consisting of novice, intermediate, advanced, and professional cyclists.

The Participants

Cyclists enjoy El Tour and its festivities out of a passion for cycling, while others choose the event to benchmark their fitness as part of a healthy lifestyle change or as a wellness program goal as a survivor of cancer or other life-threatening illness. Many are attracted to El Tour’s fundraising programs and its many charitable agencies for which the event raised more than $8,000,000 in 2014. All El Tour riders share a desire to ride, meet great people, raise contributions and have a fun time doing it!

The Routes

Participants cycle main event distances of 104, 75, 55 or 40 miles, or choose the Fun Ride 11 or 5 miles or a fun 1/4 mile activity course too! Main event routes show off Tucson’s beautiful vistas of its local mountain ranges – three rising over 9,000 feet- complete with the backdrop of the majestic Saguaro cactus, icon of the Sonoran Desert. Course profiles range from flat to rolling or moderately hilly. The 40-mile route is mostly flat and has become a great family affair or a perfect first event for beginners! Two often dry but sandy river crossings will greet 104-mile riders, while 75-milers experience just one. All routes offer aid stations with water and snacks spaced about 7-10 miles apart, police support at intersections and plenty of morale-boosting volunteers and spectators. The Fun Ride offers easy and scenic routes along the Santa Cruz River multi-use path.

The Finish

The 104-mile startline (and finish line for all events) is located at Armory Park across the street from Children’s Museum Tucson on South 6th Avenue at 13th Street. Crossing the finish line ushers the riders into the next event-El Tour Downtown Fiesta! First order of business for cyclists after meeting friends & family is to collect a special finisher’s medallion based on their finish time. Next, celebrate at the Fiesta complete with non-stop music, the Beer Garden, food vendors, El Tour Perimeter Store merchandise, kids activities, the Grand Cycling Awards Ceremony, and more!

The Alternative

If you can’t be in Tucson on Ride Day, or simply prefer to stay off the streets, Indoor El Tour is the answer! It is a stationary cycling event – no traffic, no safety hazards, no headwinds, but still loads of fun. Ride for minutes instead of miles while supporting Perimeter Bicycling charities and receive a special medallion. Indoor El Tour begins one week prior to the main event and may be ridden anywhere on the planet on any stationary bike or on Ride Day at the Finish Line.